Silent Rebellion (2026)

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SILENT REBELLION

SWITZERLAND, 1943

Well, Emma.

Do you pray regularly?

Whenever I can.

But I work here.

And there's home, and my little sisters.

The schoolmaster congratulates you

and he sent us a glowing

letter of recommendation.

You like learning?

- Yes, I do.

That's why the virtue award

would help me.

It's also a trousseau.

You know that?

The trousseau

will be for my wedding.

But first,

I would like to become a nurse.

So, you'd like to use the prize money

to pay for your schooling?

The Mutual Aid Committee gave me

these clothes,

my sisters' clothes too.

Being able to look after people

would be my way

of giving back to the community.

That's very well said.

Charity asks for nothing in return.

Our pastor is a man

of remarkable integrity.

The Droz bequest is there

to reward a virtuous young woman.

What are your thoughts

on your mother, Emma?

I'd rather not talk about it.

Go on...

I don't see her,

she doesn't live here.

Emma, the Committee knows that.

We want to hear your opinion on it.

She's a bad woman.

Thank you, Emma.

You can go upstairs.

There's housework to do this morning.

Yes, ma'am.

So?

I'm sure you were perfect.

They asked about my mother.

I didn't get to speak to my father

about the school.

Tell him when you've won the award.

He'll be really proud.

My mom can talk to him.

She wants us to go to the same school.

He won't refuse her.

"It's the chance of a lifetime for her.

Believe me."

Our Father Who art in heaven.

Hallowed be Thy name

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

On earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those

who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom

and the power, and the glory forever,

Amen.

Good night.

- Good night.

It's a fine profession.

How did you choose it?

I've always wanted to see the world

and meet people.

Thank you.

To get out and about, above all.

And I love to write, too.

To tell stories about life.

I met journalists through my father.

Straight away, I knew

that's what I wanted to do.

There you go.

- What about you?

For the moment, I'm accompanying him.

I don't know yet if I'll keep it up.

You know, I like being at home

with my dogs.

We've taken great photos of the peat

extraction, for Protestant Life.

Details of the work.

The hands of the workers.

You really see the organic matter.

Beautiful.

Ah yes, the organic matter.

Here, every day, we send back people

trying to escape the Nazis.

Do you talk about that?

Don't bother our guests, Robert.

We don't get many, as it is.

Your husband's right.

It's a difficult subject.

How to balance international stability

and personal morality.

Especially in a neutral country

like ours.

Take us where you think

it's more interesting.

There's a hill overlooking the forest

from where there's a good view

of the border.

We could take a picnic with us.

Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me,

I have a sermon to prepare.

Do you know it?

- Of course, I love it.

Oh no? No.

Very well.

No.

I'd like to go up there.

- Not me.

To the top?

- Oh, no.

But you can go.

Go.

Come on.

Colette?

- No.

You're beautiful.

Are you coming?

Oh God, protect me from shame,

please protect me from shame.

In the name of Jesus Christ,

our Saviour, amen.

Border patrol!

Halt!

Novorossiysk,

south and south-east of Krymskaya.

The frontal attack carried out

for several days by the Soviet army

against German-Romanian positions

forced the Germans to evacuate

the town of Krimskaja,

on the Novorossiysk-Krasnodar line.

Reuters reports

that the Russian Kuban offensive...

Emma, you'll check

my accounts afterwards.

Now, Africa.

And apply yourself,

or you'll always be stupid.

Let her be.

Honestly, continents...

Continents are important.

The Soviet army threatens

to cut the road to Anapa,

the last escape route

for the German garrison.

Elsewhere, in Berlin,

the army high command communicated:

"Fighting in eastern Kuban is becoming

ever more intense."

Emma, would you like me

to lend you some books?

At least someone in this house would

benefit from them.

Thank you.

on the German defense,

the enemy sent new troops into battle.

During this five-week w*r of attrition

in the Kuban,

General von Manstein is said

to have lost 15,000 to 20,000 men.

Yes?

That's it then, you're off?

Yes. Thank you for the warm welcome.

It was a pleasure.

- Goodbye, pastor.

Goodbye, Colette.

- Have a good journey.

Thank you for everything.

It was a pleasure to have met you.

You'll send us the article.

- Yes, of course.

Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

What's going on, Emma?

I made a mess of things.

That would surprise me.

No, I let myself...

Louis...

He kissed me.

It happens.

You did nothing wrong.

Emma!

It'll be alright.

Is that a nine or a three?

- A three.

The Mutual Aid Committee

was impressed with you.

The virtue award could well be yours.

I don't deserve it.

- Yes, you do.

Don't be too modest.

It's a form of pride too.

That way,

you'll stay with my daughter.

You get on so well.

You'll help her in nursing school,

and for all day-to-day things,

when you're boarding.

Ignore the gossip about your mother.

I'll defend you, I promise.

Children are not to be held responsible

for their parents' failures.

God knows how to wait.

He looks into each person's life

with patience

and mercy.

And if He is much better than we are

at seeing

dirt and evil,

he also sees the seeds of good.

And he confidently waits

for them to ripen.

But how much longer

will we have to wait?

And wonder whether it's better

to reach out to our neighbors

or protect our own?

But we wait, arms flailing,

not daring to choose the path

that we fear will be painful,

and remain on the path

that is more comfortable,

but that is cruelest to us.

Thank you.

Come.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Did you notice that I was a bit late

in the music?

Then it's OK.

See you soon.

- Have a good Sunday.

Go and get them.

It's alright, I'll do it.

Thanks, Colette.

Hello, my Emma.

Hello.

- Thanks.

Here, I have one for you.

Please...

Go back to the city.

Your home is there now.

Come on, let's go.

Go on.

Come in, Emma.

You can sit down if you like.

Here.

Thank you.

Start up again here,

and close for a diagonal.

Then you go forward like this,

only in crosses.

And that's how you finish your letter.

I understand.

Leave it.

Come and sit down.

But we didn't cross the border...

Here!

What are you hiding?

- Nothing.

Here.

Heel. Sit.

I don't want any problems,

we don't belong here.

Let's go.

Emma, today,

I will be the one serving you coffee.

Will you come and sit down?

There's no need.

I've never drunk any.

What's going on with the Germans?

They're occupying Europe

and hunting down

people trying to seek refuge here.

Come and sit.

Did those people do something?

No.

So, why do we send them back?

What do they do with them?

They k*ll them.

Do you remember when old Jaillet died?

Just before my mother left.

There was a wake in his house,

around his body.

I was coming back from it,

through the forest.

It was already dark.

I was on a path.

I heard a child crying.

And suddenly,

there were g*nshots.

And then silence.

And I...

I ran like a jackrabbit.

I ran back home.

Like a coward.

Here, this is for you.

My mother?

- No, the journalist.

His article's come out.

You'll see,

there's a beautiful portrait of you.

However, the article, I'm sorry, but...

"Peat extraction constitutes

an interesting side line

"for these farming families

with their age-old traditions,"

"who are able to find contentment

in the face of adversity."

Ostriches aren't the only ones

to stick their heads in the sand.

Can you keep it for me?

My father will probably

find it too prideful.

That way.

Have you seen anyone?

- No.

Come on.

It's cold.

Almost as good as your mother.

Well done, Emma.

You really know how to sew, Jean.

Do they pay well at least?

The army pays 1.20 francs a jacket,

80 centimes a pair of trousers.

That's a lot!

No seamstresses left for us

if the w*r goes on!

Or they'll raise their prices.

Here you go.

For the shawls.

Bye, Jean.

See you tomorrow, Emma.

- Yes, Madam.

Goodbye.

Nicole, Jo, come and set the table.

No, thank you.

It's good to see you all.

Cheers, everyone!

- Cheers!

To you, Paul, especially.

Thank you.

- Happy birthday, Paul.

Paul?

Why did you hand those people

to the Germans the other day?

We usually take illegals to the border.

Then, they're on their own.

It was easier to hand them over.

Easier?

We don't have a choice.

This isn't our business.

Please excuse her.

Youth.

They have no authorization to be here.

They've done no wrong.

- True...

Better to remain discreet.

- Yes.

It's complicated enough as it is.

The authorities know

what they're doing.

We can't open our doors to everyone.

Again!

For months,

that cuckoo's been out of control.

Paul, why don't you show Emma

your stamp collection?

Sit down.

I can show you, but I'm more interested

in mechanics now.

My mother thinks

I'm still ten years old.

Take the cuckoo clock...

I don't dare tell them,

but I derailed it, fiddling with it.

I wanted it to come out

every 15 minutes.

What a nightmare if you had

to hear that sound 96 times a day.

Yes!

That's true,

I hadn't thought of that.

It's a good thing I failed.

You're really good at math!

I'm not feeling well.

Are you alright?

Jeanne, I baptize you in the name of

the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

You do solemnly promise

to teach Jeanne the Christian truth.

Mom?

You can't imagine how happy I am

to hear you call me that.

Can I count on your silence?

It's something

terrible.

You think that's funny?

- Sorry.

I didn't mean anything bad.

Trust me.

I'm worried about Nicole.

She always has a sore throat.

There's nothing else

you want to tell me?

Why did you leave?

Emma, I'd give anything to be with you.

You abandoned us.

Your father asked me to leave.

He threw me out.

He'd have kept me, maybe,

but people in the village were talking.

What did that man have that we didn't?

- Nothing.

When I met him, I...

I felt different.

Now, I regret it every day.

I should be the one crying.

Emma.

That's my mother for you.

Always ready to help, but quite happy

to let us deal with the corpse

while she takes care

of Louise's childbirth.

Mind you, I'd rather this.

Less blood.

I might have to get used to it.

And her hair?

- It's fine.

Colette.

I haven't bled this month.

What do you mean?

But who?

- Louis.

When he kissed me, he thought...

I bet he did.

The b*stard!

I'm so ashamed.

- Don't say that.

I don't know what to do.

Don't worry, I'm here.

MR LOUIS DE ROSEY

RUE PIERRE-BEAU 19, GENEVA

SEE YOU TONIGHWhat have you got there?

How much do you want for them?

I'll give you five.

- Ten.

Twelve.

- Fifteen.

I'll sell to the highest bidder.

Get back!

What is it?

- I'm looking for Louis de Rosey.

Who are you?

Emma.

Just say Emma.

I'll tell Mr de Rosey.

He's with friends.

You can wait at the service entrance.

I wasn't expecting to see you again.

What brings you here?

Sorry.

Were you in the area for something?

They think they can beat me!

- I'm pregnant.

Emma.

What is it you expect from me, exactly?

I don't want to shock you

but a man can never be certain

he is the father.

You understand?

My family is quite wealthy.

And I'm not saying this for you...

Others might profit

from the situation.

I know you're not that kind of girl.

Good evening.

Thank you.

There's a plate for you.

Aerial activity was quite intense,

on both sides,

over the European continent

and the British Isles...

Emma, are you feeling better?

I know what it is

to have responsibilities, Emma.

It exhausts you prematurely.

I took a look at the inscription papers

for nursing school.

I'll help your father if he needs it.

Everything they ask for!

Sit down, get to work.

Emma.

I have very good news for you.

Are you not curious?

Well, the Mutual Aid Committee voted

unanimously for you.

You will receive the virtue award.

Is that your only reaction?

Thank you, ma'am.

On entering the ghetto to round up Jews

for deportation to concentration camps,

the Wehrmacht SS units were confronted

by armed Jewish resistors.

In accordance with the orders given

by Heinrich Himmler to quell the revolt,

Jurgen Stroop decided

to destroy the entire Jewish quarter,

by setting fire

to every block of houses.

The final battle

came to an end yesterday

with the destruction

of the great ghetto synagogue.

It's not Saint Bartholomew's.

They always pull through.

They have a knack for it.

on African soil after the surrender

of the German-Italian Axis forces...

I don't want the award.

This will get you back on your feet.

Thank you.

It's a good thing Nicole came to get me.

Has it gone?

- No, don't worry.

But I don't want it.

You don't know

what you're saying.

I won't tell your father,

don't worry.

But you mustn't be scared,

or act rashly.

Is he a married man?

Did he force you?

Good.

You sinned, that's bad,

but don't spoil the rest of your life.

And that boy, he...

Maybe he wants it.

No, only you can help me.

Yes, I can help.

I can go and see this boy

if he refuses to do the right thing.

Is that clear?

I supported your candidacy,

as part of the Mutual Aid Committee.

I don't want to look like a fool.

I want to disappear.

I don't even have the courage.

Nothing I do ever works.

I can't continue like this.

I don't want to.

But Emma, you don't realize

just how strong you are.

On this day,

I would like us to reflect

on what charity really means.

To love.

To help.

Rather than to judge and to reject.

But we stick to fear,

to good manners,

like flies to those ribbons

in our kitchens.

We know not anymore why we live.

While it is love, and faith,

that should be

our only reasons for living.

You say the raft is full,

that we must cut off the hands

of those who cling to it,

for fear of it capsizing.

No.

No!

What is there left of God in this world?

He's drunk.

- What is there left of love?

Go ahead, take the Jews home with you!

What a disgrace

Come, we're leaving.

We're going to go.

Emma.

I didn't think anyone was still here.

You really helped me earlier.

While the whole village...

It goes without saying.

He's our pastor.

Can I stay a while?

Yes.

You know where the French word

renard comes from?

No.

From a character in Renart's novel.

And before that,

foxes were called goupils.

There you go.

Nicole?

Keep going like that.

School, embroidery. Everything.

Don't ever give up.

We are so pleased to be able to present

the virtue award to our little Emma,

a deserving young girl whom we all know

for her devotion at temple,

her kind heart

and her irreproachable conduct.

Bravo!

Emma is also making others very happy,

as she is now officially engaged

to Paul Comte.

Congratulations.

We'll hand the money over

to the future husband. It's safer.

Paul.

Bravo, Paul.

Emma.

I'm so happy for you.

Mother, I'm pregnant.

No. Not him.

Shut up, you hear?

Never say that again.

You're getting married.

There is no shame.

Paul is a good young man.

You will come to love him, you'll see.

I have to open the ball.

You love him

more than if he was your own son.

He is my son.

I won't let anyone say otherwise.

Not even you.

I adore him. He is wonderful.

He's your flesh and blood.

I love you, forget everything else.

And we'll have more together.

A little girl as lovely as her mother.

There, the upper spring is clear.

The postman gave me

a letter from Colette.

A glass of water first.

May I?

This time, she's been accepted

to nursing school.

Are you pleased for your friend?

Yes.

Write to congratulate her.

I ran into

the new pastor and his family.

They need someone.

Emma, we've already discussed it.

You're part of the family now.

You don't need to work.

There's enough work to do here.

Don't burn the sheets.

I could go only on days of worship,

when they need it most.

If there's anything you need,

I can get it for you.

No.

Emma?

Will you come

and look at my additions?

Emma, the bread.

I've come to see my mother, Alice Moraz.

She works here.

Moraz, she's in group two.

She finishes at 8 pm.

But, it's urgent.

Come back in four hours.

What are you doing here?

Has something happened to your sisters?

No.

What then? The foreman told me off

because you asked to see me.

I was scared to death.

I need your help.

Having a baby, it's not always easy.

No, it isn't him.

Does Paul treat you badly?

Or his family?

I don't love him.

I've tried, but I can't.

It'll pass.

You have to go home now.

Go home with him,

before they call the police.

No, he won't do that.

Go home, before it's too late,

trust me.

I'd rather die.

Never say that, understood?

Hello.

This is Emma, my daughter.

Hello, Emma.

And Marcel, my grandson.

Welcome.

Shall I take him?

Hey there, you.

Can I show you the room?

I'll put you down on the bed...

What's all this then...?

There.

Present yourself at section two.

Thank you.

Surname?

- Moraz.

Names?

- Emma Anas Rachel.

Age?

- Seventeen.

I'm available all nights.

I can start tonight.

Here's a ticket for your trial,

report to the foreman, section five.

Over there.

I won awards on leaving school,

and I'm pretty good at math.

That's great, but you don't need

any of that here.

Next.

Over there.

Show her what she has to do.

You take them.

All in the same direction.

You press down

and you pull.

Go on.

Don't forget to pull.

There can't be

any gaps between them.

Everything alright?

Thanks.

See you tonight.

- See you.

Ma'am?

You know,

that shawl, I embroidered it.

I can make others for you.

Miss, that shawl was hand-embroidered

by a pastor's wife

who only brought me them now and then.

I can supply them to you

for half that price.

Even less, a third.

That would hardly cover the labor,

they take long to embroider.

You'll find elsewhere, I'm sure.

Have a good day.

You work well now.

- Thank you.

So, I've heard

you're good at math?

Soon, I'll find you a better post,

something quieter.

I just want to help.

Finish picking that up

then go and clean the shitter.

And thoroughly.

I'll be checking.

Hello, Emma.

- Hello, Paul.

Can you take him for a bit?

Of course.

You have to come back.

Please.

No, no.

I'm your husband.

You have to follow me.

You saved me from shame.

I thank you

from the bottom of my soul for that.

But I won't come back.

Then, I'm taking Marcel.

He's my son. It's my right.

I won't let you

take everything from me.

You can't do that to me.

You didn't hesitate, did you?

You think people don't know?

I never wanted to...

So, come back.

The three of us will be happy together.

You'll work for the pastor,

if you want.

I love you.

You're my wife.

Not anymore.

Goodbye, Paul.

I don't want your b*stard

to keep my name.

I'll be able to raise him.

You can forget your sisters.

It's over for you.

Emma Moraz.

I work nights.

It should be more.

The detail is on your payslip.

Emma?

Colette.

What are you doing here?

Have you moved to the city?

Sort of.

And you?

We came to visit the hospital.

How is your father?

He hardly speaks anymore.

He's very changed.

He liked you a lot, you know.

He would have preferred you

as a daughter.

Don't say that.

He would be proud of you.

I'm certain of it.

I'm stopping the school.

Nursing is not for me.

I've met someone.

I'm getting married.

Congratulations.

Colette, hurry now!

You should come and see us.

See you soon, Emma.

Yes, perfect.

Yes?

Excuse me.

You came before, didn't you?

- Yes.

Pretty.

Thank you.

I'll give you 50 francs for it.

I want 100,

they take very long to embroider.

60, not a penny more.

70, if you order more.

60, but yes, I will order more.

In that case, I want an advance.

- No.

I'll take at least three.

Come back you have three.

Same quality, of course.

Of course.

Almost six years since we stacked up

the lists of destroyed or burnt cities,

the horrific tableaux of

massacred armies, devastated countries,

hunted down, deported, starved

and decimated civilian populations.

Almost six years of shame and pain.

The most prodigious attempt

at world domination draws to a close,

leaving behind it a legacy of ruin.

Let us be warned, Switzerland may not

have been needed to help win the w*r,

but it must help win peace.

We have a responsibility

to rebuild a peaceful Europe,

in which the dignity of men and women

must, once again, be given

its rightful place and value.